Surround Yourself with Stimulation

Dementia is an unfair disease. It shows up when you least expect it. It’s scary, it’s confusing, and a cure, as of right now, is unknown. We try different techniques to engage our brains to help delay the onset. Eating the right foods and taking part in a physical activity at least once a day for 30 minutes are two techniques that doctors say will help stimulate your brain and delay the chance of the onset of a dementia-related disease.

A recent study conducted by Utah State University discovered that the progression of decline in brain functioning among Alzheimer’s patients (one of the many names of dementia related diseases) could be dramatically slowed if caregivers simply change the environment, writes Huff/Post50's reporter Shelley Emling. 

The study found that:

“Caregivers who utilize higher levels of ‘positive’ coping strategies -- problem-focused coping, seeking greater social support, counting blessings -- were able to slow down dementia's progress as measured by a variety of global standards. Historically, patients whose caregivers rely more on "negative" coping strategies -- avoidance, blaming themselves or others, wishful thinking -- resulted in a faster decline on cognitive and functional measures, researchers said.”

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and one without a cure. Researchers and scientists are working hard to find it, but for now, we’re encouraged to ensure that we maintain an active lifestyle – be it socially, physically or mentally. Go for a walk, play a brain game, schedule a regular meet-up with friends throughout the week, it doesn’t have to be strenuous. Get out there, have fun, and engage your brain!

The Many Facets of Dementia

Image by Seniors Access

Just when you think there isn’t any more left to say on the topic of dementia, you learn something new. Such as: did you know there is such a thing as an overnight dementia “camp”? You may be as baffled as I was at first when reading about it. But it’s true.  Huffington Post’s HuffPost50 reported on The Hebrew Home at Riverdale, where they have a program called ElderServe at Night.

What does this entail you may wonder? It’s a place where aging adults who suffer with dementia can take part in activities, such as arts and crafts, dancing, socializing and more… throughout the night. That’s right, this isn’t a “typical” day-care dementia Centre (although it does offer these services too). It is a program that runs from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.. It’s for individuals who require constant supervision throughout the night due to fear and confusion that is caused when the sun sets, and it gives caregivers peace of mind that their loved ones are cared for, enabling them to get a restful nights sleep.

Individuals with various types of dementia can have irregular sleep patterns throughout the day, which can cause sudden jolts of alertness at night. The disorientation that occurs in these individuals not only harms their mental capacity to understand what is occurring, but it can cause strain on family caregivers and interruptions to their own sleep cycles.

Like ElderServe at Night, there have been other programs that are unique and cater to individuals who have been affected by dementia, for both the patient and caregiver. Such places, for example, are Alzheimer Cafés becoming more prevalent in society. The concept originates overseas from the Netherlands, took hold across Europe and the United States, and is slowly integrating into Canada. The first of its kind appeared last February in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

These cafés encourage individuals who have Alzheimer’s, or other forms of dementia, to socialize. It’s a space where those who attend, caregiver or patient, can feel comfortable, and where sudden outbursts are accepted due to symptoms of the various types of dementia.

We may not be able to cure dementia, we may only be able to delay its onset, but society certainly understands that we can find ways that help ease the suffering, and find a way to help maintain a person’s dignity.  

To learn more about ElderServe at night, click the video below.

Talk That Talk: Alzheimer's

A few months ago, in the post Living a full life, despite Alzheimer’s, we focused on bringing awareness to Dementia and the affects that Alzheimer’s has on an individual, such as causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior.  It’s a quiet disease with a progression that varies, but it’s affects on the individual and their family and friends are quite similar.   

Living with Alzheimer’s is not an easy feat, nor is watching a loved one suffer with it.  It changes the atmosphere of a home, or relationships that have been built.  And sometimes the person you once knew is no longer “present”.  Although there are research facilities that strive to find a cure, there are preventative measures and ways to cope with this life-changing disease.   

SERC is inviting you to ‘Acceptance and Adaptation’ (understanding Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementia) talk at Sheridan College on March 28 at 7 p.m..  This discussion, headed by Kim Fitzpatrick, will focus on what the disease is, how loved ones can manage the life-changes it brings, validation therapy and more. 

SERC Information for March 28

Living a full life, despite Alzheimer's

Alzheimer’s – it’s an incurable disease.  It takes the mind of an individual and leaves them at a disadvantage physically and mentally.  It is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior.  According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation for Caregiving in Canada (AFCC), Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging, nor is it a disease of old age.  In fact, up to five per cent of people with the disease have early onset Alzheimer’s (also known as younger-onset), which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s.

The AFCC describes Alzheimer’s disease, on their website, to be “a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain’s nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes.” Although there is no current cure for this disease, a number of treatments are available.  One of which, is the determination to stay active in order to prevent the onset of dementia symptoms and improve an individual’s quality of life.

An article posted by healthzone.ca focuses on the lives of Bill Heibein, Susan Parrish, and Mary McKinlay; each who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  Their life stories of how they decided to tackle the disease’s challenges are inspiring and uplifting, instilling hope that life can go beyond what doctors tell you.  Staying active was a large part of how these three individuals chose to delay the onset of this disease by farming, swimming, staying active within the community and educating themselves on the affects and symptoms of Alzheimer’s.  They chose to overcome the overwhelming consensus that they had a disease that was uncontrollable, so they did what they once saw as the impossible – they stayed active.

In the words of Mr. Heibein, “If there’s something you want to do, by George, you go out and do it!”

To read their stories, click this article.